by Martin Unsworth
A return to off-the-wall form for cult director Jeff Lieberman (Squirm, Blue Sunshine), Satan’s Little Helper gets a long-deserved UK Blu-ray release from newcomers Treasured Films.
It’s Halloween, and young Doug (Alexander Brickel) is determined to go trick-or-treating as an assistant to Satan, as he’s obsessed with a hand-held video game named Satan’s Little Helper. Doug has a questionable fixation with his sister, Jenna (Katheryn Winnick), and is a little put out that her new boyfriend, Alex (Stephen Graham) has appeared on the scene. While wandering the streets, Doug comes across a bloke dressed in a Satan costume, arranging a gory display outside a house. Blinkered to what is really happening, Doug befriends ‘Satan’, who is actually a twisted serial killer hiding in plain sight.
As Satan’s rein of slaughter continues in the neighbourhood – including offing all the small island’s police force, there is plenty of fun, gory moments. Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction) is a standout as Doug’s mum, and it’s a pleasure to see that young actor Brickel is not completely obnoxious. His naïve, wonderment of meeting Satan and being oblivious to the deadly consequences of his actions should open up a conversation about the influence of violent video games. Even with the gore, the film gives an air of nostalgia. Kids roam on bikes like in E.T., and despite the electronic advancement of the hand-held game (the visual depiction is very rudimental), the family dynamic is akin to the classic sitcoms of the seventies and eighties.
This new Blu-ray release presents the film looking fantastic, giving audiences who perhaps haven’t experienced the movie before the best possible chance to enjoy it. The extras also make the release worthwhile. A video essay and interview with the director, both provided by Jon Towlson, are very interesting and informative, and the chat with Lieberman (conducted over Zoom) is particularly entertaining.
Satan’s Little Helper already had a cult following, and hopefully, this release will increase that fan base.
Satan’s Little Helper is available on Blu-ray from Treasured Films and is on general release from July 17th.
